Labor Day weekend is often regarded as the \u201clast weekend of summer\u201d, with millions taking to the highway for one final summer getaway. Tragically, this particular holiday has become associated with drunk driving \u2013 over the 2017 Labor Day holiday period 44 percent of traffic fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking.<\/p>\n
To help ensure the 2019 Labor Day holiday is a time for celebration, <\/strong>eDriving<\/strong><\/a> is sharing the following road safety tips for you and your loved ones: <\/strong><\/p>\n Perform vehicle checks before your trip (brakes, lights, tires, fluid levels)<\/strong> and pack a breakdown kit that includes a flashlight, charged phone, jumper cables, first-aid kit, a basic toolkit, emergency flares, non-perishable food and plenty of water\u2013 plus any additional emergency items required by law in your state.<\/p>\n Plan your route in advance<\/strong>, allowing for regular rest stops in safe places; at least 15 minutes for every two hours of driving and more frequently if you feel tired. Even if you are using GPS it\u2019s recommended that you familiarize yourself with the planned route before setting off to avoid confusion while driving.<\/p>\n Ensure the whole family buckles up.<\/strong> Children should be seated in correctly-fitted<\/a> car or booster seats \u2013 and pets should be properly restrained too.<\/p>\n Look out for others.<\/strong> Traffic can be heavy over the holiday period \u2013 and some road users might be unfamiliar with the roads on which they are traveling. Be prepared for vehicles stopping or turning unexpectedly. Be particularly cautious when traveling close to trucks \u2013 don\u2019t let yourself be caught up in truck drivers\u2019 blind spots and don\u2019t cut in front of heavy trucks. It takes them a lot longer to stop! Learn more<\/a> about driving defensively.<\/p>\n Remember that maximum speed limits <\/strong>are not \u201ctarget\u201d speeds; they\u2019re maximum limits in good conditions. Traffic, weather and environmental conditions impact on suitable speeds. Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n